American Lung Association Applauds Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort for Opening Tobacco-Free, Protecting Health of Workers

“We applaud the decision of Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort for adopting a smokefree workplace policy as they re-open after COVID-19 forced businesses to shutter. This policy will protect the health of workers and customers from dangerous secondhand smoke and e-cigarette emissions, and we call for the permanent adoption of this policy.

More than a decade ago, the U.S. Surgeon General found that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and that eliminating smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect people from exposure.

Separating smokers from nonsmokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate this exposure.  In addition, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, an expert organization that sets standards on ventilation in buildings, has had a standard in place on exposure to secondhand smoke for a number of years. One of the main conclusions of this standard is that the only way to completely eliminate the health risks from secondhand tobacco smoke in indoor environments is to prohibit smoking activity.

Secondhand smoke may lead to lung cancer, COPD and heart disease and worsens existing health conditions including asthma. Everyone deserves the chance to lead a healthy life, and that means having a safe work environment free from the health harms associated with secondhand smoke

The American Lung Association will continue to advocate for strong smokefree laws and policies. We strongly urge other casinos in Arizona to adopt a similar smokefree policy and follow Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Report’s lead.”